Coronary artery calcification: Effects on severity and survival in patients with COVID-19.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coronary artery calcification on disease severity and prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one patients with COVID-19 were included in this study. The severity of pulmonary involvement and calcification of coronary arteries were assessed by computed tomography scan and calcification was classified by two methods: Weston and segmental. In both the methods, patients were divided into three groups with scores of 0, 1-6, and 7-12, which are called groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Results: The mean age of patients was 54.26 ± 14.55. Difference in score of pulmonary involvement was reported to be significant between deceased and discharged patients (11.73 ± 5.26 and 7.28 ± 4.47, P = 0.002, respectively). In Weston score system, the chance of recovery of Group 1 patients was significantly higher than Group 3 (odds ratio [OR] =6.72, P = 0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.901-50.257). Similar results were observed in the segmental scoring system (OR =6.34, P = 0.049, 95% CI =1.814-49.416). Despite the higher chance of severe disease in patients with coronary artery calcification, this increase was not statistically significant in either Weston or segmental methods (OR =0.47, P = 0.23 and OR =0.85, P = 0.79, respectively). Conclusion: Coronary artery calcification in patients with COVID-19 has a significant association with poor prognosis. However, no significant relationship was observed between this issue and the severity.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019: predicting prognosis with a computed tomography-based disease severity score and clinical laboratory data.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are known contributing factors but no comprehensive methods for predicting the mortality risk or intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­19). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore risk factors for mortality and ICU admission in patients with COVID­19, using computed tomography (CT) combined with clinical laboratory data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID­19 (n = 63) from university hospitals in Tehran, Iran, were included. All patients underwent CT examination. Subsequently, a total CT score and the number of involved lung lobes were calculated and compared against collected laboratory and clinical characteristics. Univariable and multivariable proportional hazard analyses were used to determine the association among CT, laboratory and clinical data, ICU admission, and in­hospital death. RESULTS: By univariable analysis, in­hospital mortality was higher in patients with lower oxygen saturation on admission (below 88%), higher CT scores, and a higher number of lung lobes (more than 4) involved with a diffuse parenchymal pattern. By multivariable analysis, in­hospital mortality was higher in those with oxygen saturation below 88% on admission and a higher number of lung lobes involved with a diffuse parenchymal pattern. The risk of ICU admission was higher in patients with comorbidities (hypertension and ischemic heart disease), arterial oxygen saturation below 88%, and pericardial effusion. CONCLUSIONS: We can identify factors affecting in­hospital death and ICU admission in COVID-19. This can help clinicians to determine which patients are likely to require ICU admission and to inform strategic healthcare planning in critical conditions such as the COVID­19 pandemic.

Risk Factors for Poor Outcome in Patients with Severe Viral Pneumonia on Chest CT during the COVID-19 Outbreak: a Perspective from Iran.

We investigated significant predictors of poor in-hospital outcomes for patients admitted with viral pneumonia during the COVID-19 outbreak in Tehran, Iran. Between February 22 and March 22, 2020, patients who were admitted to three university hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Tehran, Iran were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and chest CT scan findings were gathered. Two radiologists evaluated the distribution and CT features of the lesions and also scored the extent of lung involvement as the sum of three zones in each lung. Of 228 included patients, 45 patients (19.7%) required ICU admission and 34 patients (14.9%) died. According to regression analysis, older age (OR = 1.06; P < 0.001), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 88% (OR = 2.88; P = 0.03), and higher chest CT total score (OR = 1.10; P = 0.03) were significant predictors for in-hospital death. The same three variables were also recognized as significant predictors for invasive respiratory support: SpO2 < 88% (OR = 3.97, P = 0.002), older age (OR = 1.05, P < 0.001), and higher CT total score (OR = 1.13, P = 0.008). Potential predictors of invasive respiratory support and in-hospital death in patients with viral pneumonia were older age, SpO2 < 88%, and higher chest CT score.